Preparations for referendum 'rushed'

Determined support for a "yes" vote for independence is being voiced in Hargeysa, capital of the self-declared state of Somaliland, northwestern Somalia, but amid strong criticism of the referendum process. On Thursday, people will vote on the new constitution, the first article of which relates to Somaliland's independent status.

The administration has been criticised for rushing preparations, with very little voter education and inadequate distribution of copies of the constitution. During the run-up to the referendum, regional governors complained that the timing of the vote was poor, because of economic hardship arising from the livestock ban and inflation, and the seasonal lack of rain. Others have expressed doubt as to the accuracy of the vote as so little education has been done among a population with an estimated 70 percent illiteracy rate. Some referendum supporters in Hargeysa are concerned that those without sufficient education may see the vote as a "yes" or "no" for President Muhammad Ibrahim Egal.

Concerns are also being voiced over the logistics of voting in Sool and Sanaag, regions within the Somaliland borders, but inhabited by clans associated with the neighbouring self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia. The Somaliland administration has said the referendum will go ahead in the two regions, and that ballot boxes have been delivered. However, the Puntland administration has declared that the ballot boxes will not be accepted and the vote will not take place.

One international observer told IRIN that "there is little doubt about the outcome of the referendum, but the question is whether a regional breakdown of the vote will be released. That will be politically significant." [see also seperate IRIN report of 30 May, headlined: "National Commission says referendum ready to go"]